Coventry miss out on Suede’s ‘Antidepressants’ gig following another HMV Empire cancellation

Last Monday, Britpop giants Suede were set for the HMV Empire stage in Coventry City Centre, the most intimate venue planned in their recent jam-packed UK tour. Touring their latest critically acclaimed album, Antidepressants, anticipation was building for Suede’s first Midlands gigs since their Symphony Hall (Birmingham) and Civic Hall (Wolverhampton) gigs in 2023.

The cause of cancellation remains unconfirmed, with neither HMV Empire nor the City Council releasing any further information

However, in a statement released just four days before the event, the band clarified that “due to unforeseen circumstances unrelated to Suede, the band’s concert on Monday 16 February can no longer go ahead”, but that the “HMV Empire sincerely apologised for the inconvenience”.

This is not the first occasion of late in which the venue has seen cancellations. In September last year, planned Jake Bugg and Sophie Ellis-Bextor gigs were relocated and postponed, respectively. This was due to the demolition of fire escapes at HMV Empire, the result of City Centre redevelopment being carried out by Coventry City Council. In October, Echobelly then cancelled a concert on the day of their scheduled event due to “urgent building works” related to the venue. Speculative social media comments have hence blamed council development projects for the Suede cancellation, but the cause of the cancellation remains unconfirmed, with neither HMV Empire nor the City Council releasing any further information.

As a very disappointed ticket holder for the event, I was fortunate enough to grab a last-minute ticket to their Southend show for the Friday of the same week. Unfortunately, however, I am unable to soften the blow for those who were left as disappointed as I was with the Coventry cancellation.

In the coming years, regular cancellations could also deter musicians away from the venue, and potentially Coventry altogether

Lead by frontman Brett Anderson, the band seamlessly mixed old classics with new and equally exciting tracks, showing no signs of being worn down with age following their 2010 reunion. Departing from former Britpop rivals such as Oasis, the gig encapsulated Suede’s explicit “anti-nostalgia” mentality. Captivating the audience with new modern Suede hits such as ‘Disintegrate’ and ‘She Still Leads Me On’, the band regularly find new ways to keep their obsessive fanbase content. Further, by sticking to small venues, a distinctive 90s appeal is maintained at their gigs, even over thirty years after their remarkable self-titled, debut album was released. Whilst experimentation into punk and post-punk influences is new, Suede’s distinctive sound remains ever-present. Heavily inspired by David Bowie, the band draw upon glam rock influences, and Anderson’s vocal range is still particularly impressive as he nears 60 years of age.

Beyond the disappointment for the city in missing out on such a great gig, concern at the cancellation naturally extends further. Whilst many believed the development disruption to have been addressed, this cancellation revives uncertainty about future scheduled gigs at Coventry’s HMV Empire, including The South and various popular tribute bands penned in for 2026. In the coming years, regular cancellations could also deter musicians away from the venue, and potentially Coventry altogether.